New powers, greater role for peak Aboriginal body in Victoria
Victoria's peak Aboriginal body, the First Peoples' Assembly, would be given a direct line to ministers and the power to make appointments to government boards under legislation being developed through the state's treaty negotiations.
The assembly would also be given oversight over programs and policies designed to close the gap in life expectancy and living standards between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Ministers and government departments would be required to consult with the assembly on any laws or policies 'specifically directed' to Indigenous Victorians, and the assembly would have the authority to question ministers and provide advice to them.
The proposed reform, which would make the assembly a statutory corporation and bring it under the power of Victoria's public sector anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, would satisfy one of the key recommendations within the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final reports tabled this week in parliament.
The commission recommended the state government negotiate with First Peoples to establish a permanent, First Peoples' representative body 'with powers at all levels of political and policy decision making'.
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The commission found that exclusion from processes of government was one of the historic and ongoing injustices inflicted upon Victoria's Indigenous people since colonisation.
'As shown in the evidence to Yoorrook, any inclusion of First Peoples in the State political life is limited, circumscribed and reliant on the continuation of political goodwill,' the commission noted.
'Numerous witnesses to Yoorrook submitted that the State continues to make government policy and laws for First Peoples, rather than with or by First Peoples. Government policy decision making continues to largely disregard the voices of First Peoples Elders, organisations and communities.'
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The Advertiser
7 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Family hopes for change as inquest draws to an end
The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest. Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. "We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force. Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog. It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday. "Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said. "Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death. "We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming." During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory. Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words". "If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said. "If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome. "But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest. Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. "We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force. Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog. It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday. "Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said. "Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death. "We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming." During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory. Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words". "If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said. "If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome. "But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest. Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. "We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force. Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog. It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday. "Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said. "Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death. "We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming." During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory. Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words". "If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said. "If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome. "But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest. Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. "We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force. Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog. It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday. "Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said. "Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death. "We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming." During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory. Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words". "If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said. "If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome. "But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
Canberra Times
7 hours ago
- Canberra Times
Family hopes for change as inquest draws to an end
During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory.
Perth Now
7 hours ago
- Perth Now
Family hopes for change as inquest draws to an end
The family of a teenager who was fatally shot by a police officer are calling for "truth, accountability and justice" following a years-long coronial inquest. Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times at close range by then-constable Zachary Rolfe at a home in the Northern Territory town of Yuendumu, in November 2019. The death of the 19-year-old Warlpiri-Luritja man devastated the community, Mr Walker's cousin Samara Fernandez-Brown said. "We miss him and feel his loss deeply every single day, it will stain our country for generations to come," she said in a statement. In March 2022, an NT Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of murdering Mr Walker. He has since left the police force. Over the course of the coronial inquest, which has faced several delays, text messages between Mr Rolfe and colleagues, littered with derogatory language were revealed, as were racist award certificates, which triggered a probe in early 2024 by the NT corruption watchdog. It has been a gruelling, shocking and devastating process for family and the community, Ms Fernandez-Brown said, as they prepare for Coroner Elisabeth Armitage's findings, to be handed down in Yuendumu on Monday. "Racism killed Kumanjayi. Racism from NT Police, the NT government, from Zachary Rolfe," Ms Fernandez-Brown said. "Yet none of them have ever been held to account for Kumanjayi's death. "We are heartbroken and exhausted after many long years, but we are hoping change is coming." During the inquest, Mr Walker's family called for an independent police ombudsman to be established, self-determination for Yuendumu and other Aboriginal communities, investment in culturally-safe alternatives to prison and punitive policing, the banning of guns in community and a reckoning with the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people in the territory. Senior Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said if the NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole or other officers intended on going to Yuendumu for the findings, they should come without guns, and no "empty words". "If he (Dole) is just coming to say sorry he is not welcome - how many times have they said sorry and still harmed us," Mr Hargraves said. "If Dole comes with news of real change that would be different. If he said police would put down their guns like we wanted, yes, he would be welcome. "But they are now giving out more guns to more police to shoot our people." 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14
